Sludge dehydrator

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the “sludge dehydrator” feeding and the design of the lower or bottom cone of the rectangular tank will benefit to be derived from the industrial and mining operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a machine designed for removing water from sludge or watery pastes and also to clarify water being necessary works in the mining works. The machine that is the subject matter of the invention removes water from sludge or slime including a negligible quantity of suspended solids as compared to the original content, thereby increasing the density of the sludge material and consequently reducing its volume. The water removal process from sludge or watery pastes is very useful in mining operations and also in other diverse industrial activities. Thus, the industrial benefit generated by the invention denominated “Sludge Dehydrator” is wide and preferably applied to several mining works, such as for example:

i)Water removal from ore sent to flotation, wherein two important benefits are obtained, namely, first the increase of the pulp or watery paste density of the ore will have a smaller volume of extracted water and consequently, it will increase the residence time in the primary flotation stage, thereby benefitting metallurgical recovery of valuable metal; in other words, a production increases and secondly, a substantial water saving is generated by directly recycling the previous size separation process performed by the hydrocyclons in the grinding stage.

ii) Dehydrating the concentrates that pass from the cleaning flotation to a the subsequent deeper cleaning process, where benefits are obtained in both the metallurgical recovery and the higher concentration or purity of the metal concentrate produced being caused by the longer residence time in the cleaning cells because of the smaller pulp or watery paste treated and therefore, a secondary benefit results from the water and reagents saving as an effect of the recycling possibility.

iii) Treatment of industrial water containing solids in suspension from mining or industrial processes for recovery of the clarified water and disposal of solid recovered for recycling or discard.

iv) Washing operations of pulps and watery pastes from metallic concentrates in order to to reuse or to eliminate the residual reagent.

v) Thickening or density increase process for sludge, pulps or watery pastes of metallic concentrates as a conditioning step for filtration or in other cases for obtaining tailings in paste form, which involves the benefit of optimizing the recovered or recycled water.

vi) Removal of exhausted liquid reagent as a result of the chemical reactions with mixtures of solid liquid reagents.

Every industrial benefit is achieved as a consequence of an improvement in the operation design and technique involving the submerged filter proposed in the Chilean Patent No. 44,264, which redesigns the suction plate in order to work with the new cleaning system through the filtration membrane; also the tank structure is adapted for work in this set by designing a lower cone geometry and a characteristics feeding system for each type of the intended resulting benefit. In this way the “sludge dehydrator” equipment being the subject matter of the invention.

This substantial improvement of the submerged filter obeys to the fact that in its original system, cleaning of the filtration membrane is performed by injected air in countercurrent to the suction, whereby the filter cloth is inflated. The disadvantage of this system consists in that due to the gravity and air density of the liquid vis-a-vis the water or liquid; the air tends to get out through the upper part of the submerged filter and generates a short circuit; over half of the cloth or filtering membrane area remains without detaching the excess solid matter adhered thereto and therefore reduces the equipment treatment capacity. Added to this problem, after the cleaning process the submerged filter is full of air and once the suction system works again it loses it operational capacity and operation time for extracting the trapped air; moreover, the cloth positioning design should have a structure that is capable to bear the internal pressure generated during the blowing process in order to avoid its detachment. On the other hand, the sludge or modified submerged filter cleans the filtrating cloth or membrane with a scraper and previously stops the suction and slightly increases the internal pressure, making it equal to the external pressure in order to change the surface of the cloth and release the adhered solid. This innovation permits to operate with the thicker sludge or watery pastes and thus expand its field of application.

Accordingly, the “sludge dehydrator” invention will thus be a machine whose main component is a new submerged filter model having a greater treatment capacity, that consists in a suction plate and a cleaning car which contribute to a series of improvements as compared to the original submerged filter, coupled to the new specific design of the tank where it is inserted.

Description of Known Aspects on the Matter

The industrial operations intended to increase the mineralized sludge density and the operations for clarifying turbid water having solids in suspension or themere increase of the percent concentration of solids or watery pastes are characteristic and essential processes in all ore reduction works, as well as in diverse industrial processes. These operations are normally performed by applying the technique of existing equipment listed below.

-   -   The thickener is a characteristic mining industry equipment,         used to increase the sludge or watery pastes density in         concentrators or tailings; it also performs the operations of         water recovery and clarification. The design requirements         include the availability of large installation areas as compared         with the remaining process equipment. They perform the         solid-liquid separation through natural settling of the solids,         generally by accelerating the precipitation with flocculants or         coagulants.     -   Although centrifugal machinery can achieve a good separation         between phases, the equipment evidences a certain mechanic         sophistication which raises their cost and requires more         exhaustive maintenance. They perform the solid-liquid separation         through the generation of centrifugal force.     -   It should be underscored that the submerged filter (Chilean         Patent No. 44264), whose industrial advantage is to clarify         industrial water and concentrate the solid by delivering it as a         sludge or watery paste with a greater density than the same was         initially fed.     -   The polishing filter consists of some cloth sleeves included in         a vessel or container supplied with pressurized turbid water;         the cloth retains the solid and clarifies the water with a view         to extracting the accumulated solids excess, the clarification         or polishing of the liquid process. Likewise, backwashing with         water and dilution of the solid pulp should be undertaken by         diluting the solid in the pulp. A similar operation is performed         with sand filters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better explanation of the “sludge dehydrator” invention, a description is found below in relation to a preferred execution in relation to the following figures, where

FIG. 1 is a cross section side view of the “sludge dehydrator” equipment, which shows a suction plate connected to a suction pipe being connected with a cleaning car mounted on the track rail and the equipping required for an industrial operation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section side view of the “sludge dehydrator” equipment, with all its components, parts or pieces being under installation or dismantling.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section side view of the “sludge dehydrator” equipment including the lower cone design of the tank being adapted to dehydrate sludge or watery pastes, preferably in a mining process, such as those undergoing the grinding to process to primary flotation.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the “sludge dehydrator” equipment having the lower cone design of the tank adapted to dehydrate sludge or watery pastes, preferably in mining processes as those passing from a flotation cleaning stage to a cleaning stage.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of the “sludge dehydrator ” equipment having the lower cone design of the tank adapted to dehydrate sludge or watery pastes, preferably in mining processes, such as the thickening of concentrates or tailings from water that originates in diverse works water clarification.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a suction plate.

FIG. 7 is a tridimensional cross-section view of the suction plate.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section side view in detail of the connection and sealing of a suction plate with the suction pipe.

FIG. 9 shows a tridimensional view of a cleaning car.

FIG. 10 shows a tridimensional view of the installation system of brushers or in the cleaning car.

FIG. 11 shows a tridimensional view of a set of a suction pipes set.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the “sludge dehydrator” invention (1) consists of an equipment for extracting portions of clarified or partially clarified water from sludge or watery pastes, as well as from turbid water having substantial contents of solids in suspension, in all cases by increasing the density of the muddy material or watery paste. The mechanism for removing the clarified or partially clarified water is carried out with a modified submerged filter, which reaches a high capacity vis-a-vis that of the original Chilean Patent No. 44,264; in this way the dehydrated sludge is settled, concentrated and discharged through the lower cone of the “sludge dehydrator” (1).

The modified submerged filter consists of the set made up by a suction plate (2) and a cleaning car (3). The suction plate (2) is connected to the suction pipe (4) that extracts the absorbed water; the solids are retained in the filtering cloth or membrane (25); the cleaning car (3) is moved and the brushers or scrapers (60) detach the solids being adhered thereto and settle them into the bottom.

The sludge dehydrator (1) being the subject matter of the invention has a particular design in the lower part of the rectangular tank (50), which is characteristic for each type of function required to be obtained. Accordingly,

With reference to FIG. 3, as concerns the industrial activity, to dehydrate sludge or watery pastes, for example mineralized sludge is fed to an ore flotation process from the grinding process. Through this operation, it is possible to reach an optimum flotation density by lowering the volume of treated ore paste, which implies a longer residence time in the flotation cells, thus benefitting the recovery of treated ore. In order to proceed to this industrial activity, the design of the lower part of the rectangular tank (50) of the sludge dehydrator (1), a feeding cone and tubular discharge (5) is inserted in the process piping (8) which transports the watery pastes from the grinding process into the flotation process. Locatedin the exit end a control valve (9) is provided for the automatic operation, whose object is to produce inside the sludge dehydrator (1) a liquid level such that it maintains submerged the suction plate (2) destined to the permanent and continuous water suction thereby increasing the density and concentration of solids in the sludge or watery paste discharged through the control valve (9), whose opening or pitch is in turn controlled by a level sensor (11). The clarified or partially clarified being removed from the ore watery paste removed from the ore can be immediately recycled in the grinding addition point, thus contributing another important industrial benefit from the water recovery and recycling.

In the cleaning operation the filter cloth or membrane (25) is designed according to a computer program prepared on experimental basis, where for every given operation time of the sludge dehydrator (1) the suction valve (16) will be closed; and then the atmospheric pressure valve (17) will be opened and immediately closed and will release the cloth or filtering membrane (25) in order to detach the adhered sludge which due to agglomeration will accelerate its settling into the feeding cone and the tubular evacuation (5).

With reference to FIG. 4, regarding the industrial activity, the sludge or watery pastes dehydrator, e.g. in concentrates obtained from the primary flotation to be sent to cleaning flotation—which generally over-hydrates them due to the freshwater that causes fresh water foam. Upon dehydration, the concentrates will increase their density, reduce their volume and have a longer residence time in the flotation cells, thus achieving a better purity and increasing the recovery. For taking care of this industrial activity, in the rectangular tank (50) lower portion of the sludge dehydrator (1) a sludge receiver and discharge cone (6) has been designed. The concentrate or sludge are supplied by the upper feeding pipe (22) connected to a side receiver closed case (78), provided with a chimney (79) for gas evacuation and for minimizing the formation of foam in the rectangular tank (50). This equipment also operates as the already known transfer cases, which are dispatch stations being stations for sending concentrate from one flotation circuit to another, the lower exit duct (10) is provided with a control valve (9) commanded by the level sensor (11); this valve and level set will remain submerged with the suction plate (2). It is possible to provide a pump located before the lower exit duct (10) in order to remove and send the dehydrated concentrate to another flotation circuit.

The cloth or filtering membrane (25) in the cleaning process is designed according to an experimental computer program, where every given operation time of the sludge dehydrator (1); the suction valve (16) will be closed, and the atmospheric pressure valve will be immediately opened and closed (17) and will loosen the filter cloth or membrane (25) so as to remove the adhered sludge and at once the piston (21) actuates and moves the cleaning car (3) in order to remove the sludge which because of its agglomeration will accelerate the settling into the receiver cone and sludge discharge (6).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, that concern an industrial activity, e.g. to thicken and condition the metallic concentrate obtained in the final flotation cleaning to be filtered and dried for marketing and for sending it to ore processing (locally known as “maquila”). This industrial process is performed by applying the design of the sludge dehydrator (1) lower part with a thickening cone (7). As in this case, the settled sludge or ore paste should be as dense as possible, a drag (12) has been included, which is moved by a motor-reducer (14) with a view to avoiding a silt deposit and to maintain the thick concentrate fluidity under evacuation through the sludge discharge (20). The drag lower part (12) is connected in concentrator (13) of the bottom cover (15).

The sludge or watery paste is fed to the sludge dehydrator (1) preferably by an upper feeding duct (22) that discharges into the central bin or case (23) in communication with the upper part of the thickening cone (7).

The cleaning process of the filtering cloth or membrane (25) is designed according to an experimental computer program. Here, every given time the operation of the sludge dehydrator (1) will close the suction valve (16) then open and immediately close the atmospheric pressure valve (17) in order to detach the filtering cloth or membrane (25) from the rack (26) and will release the adhered sludge; then the piston (21) operates by moving the cleaning car (3) to remove the adhered sludge that because of its agglomerating action accelerates its settling into the thickening cone (7).

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 5, for industrial activity, turbid water having substantial contents of solids in suspension is clarified and the most dense solids are disposed for recovery or conditioned for discard, a process that is performed by means of the design of the lower part of the sludge dehydrator (1) of a thickening cone (7) and operating the equipment for treatment of a highly diluted sludge; for this reason in the industrial operation it is possible to do without the drag (12). The produced clarified water volume of flow should always be higher than the turbid water volume of flow; otherwise the equipment will overflow due to its lack of capacity. The equipment includes a level sensor (11) to control its filling capacity, bearing in mind that since the clarified water volume of flow is greater than the feeding capacity, the level should always go down in order to avoid the suction plate (2) cropping out, which should be always submerged; the water suction will be stopped by closing the suction valve (16) connected to the vacuum line (18); when this situation is present, the equipment low level will start recovering its level due to the continuing feeding of turbid water. In this case a cleaning cycle can be performed to be first performed by an instantaneous opening and closing of the atmospheric pressure valve (17) being connected to a pressurized water or air line (19)preferably at the atmospheric pressure, in order to release the filter cloth or membrane (25) and breaking the adherence of the solid material; in the third place, at this same instant the piston (20) will be operated to move the cleaning car (3) and detach the adhered sediment which due to its concentration will be settled into the cone (7) bottom.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, together with the cleaning car (3) the suction plate (2) forms part of the modified submerged filter body, whose function is to separate or remove the sludge or watery paste water; its shape is similar to that of the submerged filter described in the Chilean Patent No. 44264, and also to the shape of the disc filter plate known in the technique. Accordingly, for its operation the known procedure is applied that consists of generating a vacuum inside the suction plate (2) together with a pressure differential between the outside and the inside, which activates the water transit through the filter cloth or membrane (25) into the inside and maintains the solid material outside. With a view to maintaining the rigidity of the filtering cloth or membrane (25)on each side, and to avoid their being united, an internal rack (26) is provided inside for each face, being joined with the opposite face by union pillars (27) in a sufficient number to resist the pressure exerted by the vacuum in the course of the suction operation. The internal rack (26) as a whole remains fitted in the frame (24), whose design provides a channel (28) along its entire perimeter, destined to introduce the filtering cloth or membrane (25) with the countersunk bars (29), preferably having a circular section provided with welded washers (30); a bolt (31) is passed through them that crosses the frame (24) through the cylindrical opening (32) and receives in the opposite side the other washer (30) to place the nut (33), which is then tightened and the countersunk bar (29) starts to be introduced in the channel (28), whereby the filtering cloth or membrane (25) is installed at both sides.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, with a view to producing a sound seal between the suction nozzle (36) and the female connector (37), the design provides a distance between the seal channel bottom (42) whose length should be less than the existing distance between the upper flange (51) of the rectangular tank (50) and the rounded edge (41) of the female connector (37). Bearing in mind that the difference between the two distances or measures should be smaller at the sponge seal location (43) in order to leave duly installed the suction plate (2), a tightening of the sponge seal (43) is produced in order to ensure said sealing. The rail bar contemplates a fastening boring (46) In both ends so as to ensure it with a retainer pin (47) that traps the rail bar (45) between two smaller fixation lugs (48) being integral with the upper flange (51).

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, in order to facilitate the installation or removal of the suction plate (2), an air duct (38) is provided to let the air go out and to avoid that it floats during its installation so that the air gets in and the liquid found inside gets out when it is removed, thereby preventing excessive weight. When the equipment starts-up; the air valve (39) closes the air duct (38). The rail bar (45) operates to support and permit the cleaning car (3) displacement; it is also used to perform engagement operations required for introducing to or removing the suction plate (2) from the sludge dehydrator equipment (1). It is provided with supporting pillars (81) that join the rail bar (45) with frame (24); the guiding blade (34) carries out a similar function as the supporting pillars (81).

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8,in order to produce a good sealing, the design of the suction nozzle (36) provides a male connector tube (40) being surrounded by the seal channel (42) where it is countersunk by a sponge seal (43) having a same shape but a greater thickness, so that it remains trapped.

The frame (24) located in the lower portion provides the discharge of clarified water with two openings (80) of rectangular shape having semicircular ends in order to minimize the load loss being faced to a circular shape. The male connector (40) will have the same form of the opening (80), that will perfectly coincide upon installation in the suction nozzle (36) located in frame 24).

The rectangular shape having extremely semi-cylindrical ends has been considered for the opening (80) as well as that of the male connector (40) in order to use only two suction nozzles (36) in the design of the suction plate (2) and thus ensure a homogeneous contact seal with the female connector (37) of suction pipe (4).

The suction nozzle (36) has in its lower edge a funnel sole (44) and said funnel shape permits to guide the suction plate (2) upon its contact with the suction pipe (4) and achieve an optimum match of the female connector (37) and the sponge seal (43) and to facilitate the slipping, a rounded edge (41) has been designed.

The sole function (44) also performs a function as a wear element when transfer operations are carried out for transfers are performed with the suction plate (2) during the maintenance work, whereby it is transferring drag, being preferably designed with high-density polyethylene as the construction material.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 10, jointly with the suction plate (2) the cleaning car (3) is part of the modified submerged filter body and its function is to extract the solid being adhered to the filtering cloth or membrane (25) and leave same quite clean with a view to recover and maintain a maximum suction capacity. The design includes the saddles (52) with a contact tunnel (53) having the same shape and but in reverse position in respect to the rail bar (45) to permit an optimum contact between both pieces. Along the saddles (52) sides the cleaning scrapers (54) hang along each side of the cleaning blades (54) having supporting plates (55) adhered thereto for the brushers or scrapers (60). The whole set is tied to the drag structure (56) being mainly formed by thrust longitudinal beams (57) and two transversal beams (58) that produce the thrust (57) and two transversal beams (58) for exerting the thrust by means of piston (21) connecting the thrust hook (59).

The supporting plates (55) include scraper or brushes (60) being installed with pins (61); these can be bolts, rivets or another known element, which pass through the tie openings (62). The supporting plates (55) are adhered to the cleaning blade(54) by means of an axle pin (82) located in their upper part, which connects to another supporting plate (55) found on the reverse side of the cleaning blade (54); thus upon operating the piston (21) by moving the cleaning car (3), the brushers or scrapers (60) will be inclined and push downwards the solid adhered to the filtering cloth or membrane (25); the butt (83) will restrict the inclination angle of the supporting plate.

The supporting plates (55) are installed in a column in the cleaning blade (54), in a sufficient number to cover the frame (24) height. The cleaning car (3) will have at least two columns made up by supporting plates (55) and at least two saddles (52) in each cleaning blade (54), mainly to provide rigidity and balance. The greater number of columns in each cleaning blade (54). The greater is the number of columns of supporting plates (54) the shorter stroke or run will have piston (21). In other words, its piston arm (72) will have a shorter length. Consequently, in the design of the cleaning car (3) the size of the cleaning car (3) and the piston size should be calculated for an optimum dimensioning of the sludge dehydrator (1) operation being the invention subject matter.

On the basis of a pre-designed electronic program for operation of the sludge dehydrator equipment (1), the cleaning car (3) is moved by piston (21), which can be located only at one side or simultaneously at both sides. With a view to perform this operation, the design provides that the piston arm end (72) be connected to the thrust hook (59) and the tail connector (73) connects the two mobile arms (74), one at each side of them being connected to a greater fastening blade (49), whose union is a rotary axle. The piston (21) is wedged inside the ring (75), being integral with or else wedged to the two mobile arms (74) which have connected in the lower part a supporting flange (76) being supported on on a tank lug (77) and ensured by means of a flange pin (78) which, for maintenance purposes is disconnected together with the thrust hook (59) thereby releasing the piston arm (72) and permitting to leave the piston (21) in vertical position. This permits to be maintained by the ring (75) and leaves a free space for removing or installing the suction plates (2) and the cleaning car (3).

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 11, the suction plate (2) is introduced in the sludge dehydrator (1) rectangular tank (50) and then be connected with the guiding blade (34) with the tank guide channel (35) in such a way to cause the perfecting fitting of the suction nozzle (36) with the female connector (37) of the suction pipe (4). Only two suction nozzles (36) are contemplated for each suction pipe (4), with a view to ensuring a good contact between them.

The suction pipe (4) installed in the rectangular tank (50) of the sludge dehydrator (1) should be parallel to the upper flange (51) so that upon installation the suction plate (2)produces a homogeneous seal between the suction nozzle (36) and each female connector (37); aiming to optimize this seal the design considers a single pair of both pieces. For instance, if they were three female connectors (37), one of them could be shorter or longer thus adversely affecting the sealing.

Faced to the need of counting with a high capacity sludge dehydrator (1) it is necessary to expand the area of a suction plate (2) and to avoid the increase of its width or thickness and also to avoid counting with more than two suction nozzles (36) and a female connector (37), these components are designed with a rectangular section and semi-circular ends increasing the clarified water passing area.

In order to maintain the cleaning car (3) in stable and balanced condition, at least two supporting points are required, in both longitudinal and transversal sense. Therefore the sludge dehydrator (1) is designed with at least two suction plates (2) for each sector (64) and equal number of suction pipes (4) that end up joined on the distribution tray (63). To each sector (64) a hatch with a flange (65) will be provided.

The set of suction pipes (4) that make up a sector (64) is introduced through the flanged hatch (65) resting on the supporting beams (70) that will maintain aligned and rigid the suction pipe (4) and leave on a same plane the rounded edges (41) in order to optimize the sealing. The collector lid (66) is then connected, and is provided with a conduit section (67) that collects the exits of the suction pipe (4) of the corresponding sector (64) and discharges the clarified water through the terminal (68). The collector lid (66) is tied to the flanged hatch (66) with bolts and nuts (69) leaving trapped the distribution tray (63) provided with sealing material.

The cleaning operation of the filtering cloth or membrane (2) is electronically programmed.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the sludge dehydrator (1) of this invention includes in its design a system of operative units being identified by sector (64) of suction plates (2) and cleaning cars (3) that permit to leave off service the sector requiring maintenance or change of operation components, such as the filtering cloth or membrane (25), brushes or scrapers (60), piston (21) or another part or related piece. In order to isolate the selected sector (4), the terminal (68) has a maintenance valve (71) that upon its manual or electronic closing will leave out of service the selected sector (64) and the sludge dehydrator equipment (1) being the subject matter of the invention will continue operating with the remaining sectors (4) while one of then is intervened. 

1. A machine preferably designed for application in mining works for dehydration of sludge or watery pastes, with the object to increase the recovery of the ore value metal and to minimize the use of water through recycling, and in other cases, for clarifying turbid water by separating the solid from the water for an adequate industrial benefit of both compounds in utilization or discard processes. With a view to perform these works, the machine is designed duly conditioned with components and parts being necessary to operate with a submerged filter system in the mixture of watery paste so that the required solid-liquid separation takes place, CHARACTERIZED in that the machine of the invention is a sludge dehydrator (1) made up by a rectangular tank (50) whose infrastructure and shape permits to lodge a modified sub merged filter consisting of a suction plate (2) for the solid-liquid separation and a cleaning car (3) to clean the sludge or sediment adhered to the filter cloth or membrane (25) thereby maintaining stable and operative the solid-liquid separation process. The suction plate (2) is connected to the vacuum system through the contact and support of the rounded edge (41) of the female connector (37) of the suction pipe (4) and the sponge seal (43) inserted in the seal channel (42) of the suction nozzle (36). Through the flanged hatch or opening (65) of the rectangular tank (50) the suction pipes (4) connect the outside by means of its distribution tray (63) which encloses it from the outside by the collector lid (66) having adhered the conduit section (67) that receives the clarified water by suction plates (2) and through the terminal (68) it connects the suction line (18) that discharges the clarified water being suctioned by a vacuum pump, a diaphragm force pump of another system known in the technique. The sludge containing less water—and thus being more dense—is settled and discharged through the lower part of the rectangular tank (50).
 2. The system for dehydration of sludge or watery pastes preferably originating in grinding mining operations are sent to the flotation process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the sludge dehydrator (1) uses for this work in its lower or bottom part a tubular feeding and discharge cone (5) being mounted and in internal communication with a line defined as process piping (8); the latter is provided with a control valve (9) in the downstream side, whose function is to adjust its pitch in order to flood the rectangular tank (50) and maintain the filling level; it is controlled by a level sensor (11) that suffices to keep submerged the suction plate (2) at all times and to extract water from the sludge or watery paste.
 3. The system for dehydration of sludge or watery pastes preferably originating in grinding mining operations, for example in the flotation process, there is generally always the need to eliminate the water excess from concentrates requiring to be treated in the diverse cleaning flotation stages; thus, according to claim 1, being CHARACTERIZED in that the sludge dehydrator (1) uses for this work in its bottom part a sludge receiver and discharge cone (6), that receives the sludge or watery paste through a side receiving case (78) preferably covered in its upper part and equipped with a stack (79) for gases or air evacuation; in this way the tank (50) is charged through its bottom part and regulates the workload level by means of sensor (11) which delivers the signal to the electronic controller in order to open or close the control valve (9) and thereby maintains submerged the suction plate (2) and then extracts water from the sludge or watery paste. The more dense sludge is discharged through the lower outgoing duct (10) and is extracted by a pump being known in the technique.
 4. The system for dehydration and thickening of sludge or watery pastes preferably originating in mining operations, for example in the watery pastes thickening in order to optimize the filtration or disposition of thicker sludge or pastes and in the clarification process for turbid water containing solids in suspension, so as to separately dispose of said solids and clean water, then, according to claim 1, being CHARACTERIZED in that the sludge dehydrator (1) has in the center of the rectangular tank (50) a central case (23) preferably with its upper part being covered and provided with a stalk (79) for gases or air evacuation. The sludge or watery paste feeding is received through the upper feed pipe (22); the solid material will be settled as it goes down along the central case (23) into the thickening cone (7). The suction capacity through suction plates (2) should be volumetrically greater than the volume of flow of the watery paste, in such a way that the internal sludge level will go down to the extent that suction is performed; the level sensor (11) will detect the low level defined as outcropping level of the filter cloth or membrane (25) of the suction plate (2) and will end the signal so that the electronic control orders to suspend the suction by closing the suction valve (23) and opening for an instant of time the atmospheric pressure valve (17) with the object to release the filter cloth o or membrane (25) and detach it from the rack (26) thus breaking the solid or sludge adherence and at this very instant the piston (21) is actuated by moving the cleaning car (3) to release the filtering cloth or membrane (25) and separate it from the rack, thereby breaking the adherence of solid or sludge; right then the piston (21) is operated and moves the cleaning car (3) in order to release the brushes or scrappers (60) and detach the sludge that will be settled brought its own weight and agglomeration. The sludge or watery paste will continue entering the sludge dehydrator (1) and therefore, by detecting a defined high level, the level sensor (11) will send the signal to again activate the clarified water suction operation. The more dense sludge or paste can be continuously removed through the sludge discharge (20) as a defined volume of flow, with a view to maintaining the desired solid concentration of the sludge. In order to avoid silting of the thickening cone (7); a drag (12) is available, which rotates by effect of a motor-reducer (14) at a sufficient speed not to raise already settled solid and to maintain the paste with a sufficient fluidity for running off outside and thus maintains the drag (12) duly centered; said drag is connected to the cone or centering journal (13) duly integrated with the bottom lid (15). With a view to proceed with the water clarification process the sludge dehydrator equipment (1) can use the same thickening cone and can do without the drag (12) by maintaining a similar operational procedure system to that causing the sludge or paste thickening.
 5. The equipment for dehydration and thickening of sludge or watery pastes, being a preferred application in industrial and mining processes; it uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the sludge dehydrator (1) employs a modified submerged filter design, which consists in a suction plate (2) for water extraction from the sludge and a cleaning car (3) for removing the sludge or sediment adhered to the filtering cloth or membrane (25) always operative and maintains the modified submerged filter system. Upon the introduction of a suction plate (2) into the rectangular tank (50), is supported on the upper flange (51) with the rail bar (45) and at the same time it joins its suction nozzles to the female connectors (37) of suction pipe (4), by connecting the inside the suction plate (2) to the vacuum or suction system. The cleaning car (3) is mounted on the rail bar (45) and remains supported on same through the contact tunnel (53) of saddles (52). A piston (21) per side or only one side connects the thrust hook (59) and will move the cleaning car (3) using the cleaning blades (54) provided with brushes or scrapers (60) inserted therein and will detach the sediment and sludge adhered to the filtering cloth or membrane (25).
 6. The dehydrator and thickener equipment for sludge or watery paste, is preferably applied in industrial and mining processes, uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a modified submerged filter system, according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the suction plate (2) is preferably made of a polymer, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene or other similar material and is made up by a frame (24) being the carrier of the filtering cloth or membrane (25), where said set forms part of a type of case that should be submerged in the sludge or watery pastes to be dehydrated, inside of which vacuum is produced by means of suction through the connection to the suction pipes (4) system. The suction plate (2) carries on its upper portion the rail bar (45) that permits to support the cleaning system and in turn guides the matching with the sealing system and the connection with the vacuum system.
 7. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid searation a modified submerged filter system, according to claim 6, being CHARACTERIZED in that the suction plate (2) preferably manufactured of a polymeric material, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene or the like is made up by a frame (24) having all along its central perimeter and at both sides a channel (28) where the filtering cloth or membrane (25) is embedded by means of a countersunk bar (29), preferably of the same length as the channel (28), which is used as a washer (30) preferably of the same length than channel (28), which is pushed by a washer (30) preferably in the form of a flange or shim of same length or by chunks thereof, provided with cylindrical openings (32) through which passes the bolt (31) of same length that gets out from frame (24) opposite side and is fixed by washer (30) from the other side, being fixed by nut (33) and upon rotation will embed and trap the filter cloth or membrane (25) at both sides of channel (28).
 8. The sludge and watery pastes dehydration equipment preferably for industrial and mining processes has as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that in respect to suction plate (2) the sludge discharge bar (29) is preferred, which is welded with washer (30), both made of metal and preferably each channel (28) having the same length in order to provide rigidity and structure and thus avoid the frame (24) deformation.
 9. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes, preferably applied in industrial and mining processes, uses as a main component for achieving the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that suction plate (2) provides a vacuum connection system including two suction nozzles (36), so that upon contact with the female connector (37) of suction pipe (4) the contact and sealing will be more balanced than in case of the existence of three or more connections. With a view to avoiding the loss of load during the passing of water, a rectangular shape has been designed instead of a circular format, with semi-circular ends for the frame (24) opening (80) and a same format for the male connector opening (40). The suction nozzle (36) provides a sealing channel (42) whose width is less than that of the sponge seal (43), which is embedded by exerting a small pressure; its height is greater than the difference of elevation between that of the upper flange (51) and the upper elevation of the rounded edge (41) and the length between the lower end elevation of the rail bar (45) with the sealing channel bottom (42); thus the rounded edge (41) will compress the sponge seal (43) upon contact when the suction plate (2) is settled.
 10. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses a submerged filter system as a main component for making the solid-liquid separation, according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the suction plate (2) has in its upper part an air conduit (38) that permits upon opening of the air valve (39) to evacuate air from the inside and to avoid its flotation while the suction plate (2) is introduced and submerged into the rectangular tank (50) of the sludge dehydrator equipment (1). When the suction plate (2) should be removed, e.g. for maintenance tasks because the filtering cloth or membrane (25) becomes sealed due to excessive use, the air valve (39) is also opened and easily discharges water from its inside, and thereby prevents eventual damages caused by excessive weight during the lifting operation. Upon the solid-liquid suction and separation, the sludge dehydrator (1) the air valve (39) will remained closed in order to avoid losses of the suction capacity.
 11. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system per claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the suction plate (2) has inside a tray (26), being surrounded by frame (24); its objective is to maintain a vacuum chamber and avoid that the filter cloth or membrane (25) on each sides are joined when the suction plate (2) is in operation. The rack (26) joins that in the opposite face through a sufficient number of coupling pillars (27) destined to bear the thrust force produced by the pressure differential generated by the vacuum.
 12. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system per claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the suction plate (2) will always maintain submerged the frame (24); accordingly the design contemplates a sufficient distance from the rail bar (45) that should be supported on its ends over the upper flange (51) in order to bear the cleaning car (3). Said distance from and union with frame (24) is performed by the supporting pillars (81) and the guide blade (35) having a sufficient length for maintaining frame (24) always submerged and in turn being capable to regulate the diverse filling levels of the sludge dehydrator (1) during the operation.
 13. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the cleaning car (3) consists of two or more saddles (52) per each suction plate (2) being supported over the rail bar (45) and embedded in the contact tunnel (53) where both have the same shape or format, although one in negative and the other in positive. Along the sides of saddles (52)the cleaning blades (54) are tied, and hang one along each side of the suction plate (2) up to the lower part of frame (24); they preferably have installed in a column the supporting plates(55) wherein the brushers or scrapers (60) are inserted. The cleaning car (3) should consider a design which is capable to take care of the cleaning of at least two suction plates (2) in order to permit a support over at least two rail cars (45) for maintaining a balanced position and always have the cleaning blades (54) in a plane being parallel to the filtering cloth or membrane (25).
 14. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge of watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 13, being CHARACTERIZED in that the cleaning blades (54) have installed in column a sufficient number of supporting plates (55) that cover the vertical length of the filter cloth or membrane (25) and a number of columns being sufficient to cover Its horizontal length which will result in the optimum size of the cleaning car (3) as well as the size and stroke of piston (21) or the length of the piston arm (72).
 15. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 13, being CHARACTERIZED in that the cleaning blades (54) have inserted the supporting plates (55) by means of an axle pin (82) located at the upper part, which also leaves taken the supporting plate (55) on the reverse side of the cleaning blades (54). In this way, by operating the piston (21) the supporting plates will be inclined and cause that the brushes or scrapers (60) to push downwards the sludge adhered to the filter cloth or membrane (25); this inclination will be produced in the two senses of the cleaning car (3) movement; the optimum inclination angle will be defined by the location of butts (83) being installed at each side of the lower part of the supporting plate (55).
 16. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge of watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 13, being CHARACTERIZED in that in order to provide structure and contribute firmness to the cleaning car (3) in the course of cleaning and maintenance works that involve de-installation an installation movements, the sludge dehydrator (1) is designed with a hauling structure (56), made up by transversal beams (58) by positioning at least one at each end and joining them with thrust longitudinal beams (57); the whole structure is inserted over the saddles (52) and cleaning blades (54). The structure provides that at the center of the transversal beams (58) located at the ends, some thrust hooks (59) are placed on the external side to which one piston (21) is coupled and generates the movement of the cleaning car (3), pursuant to a cleaning pre-established program in the control system of the sludge dehydrator (1).
 17. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 1, being CHARACTERIZED in that said sludge dehydrator (1) contemplates outside the upper part of the rectangular tank (50) the driving system for operating the cleaning car (3) preferably consisting of a pneumatic piston (21) in whose respect one unit per side can be considered, being attached to the upper flange (51) by means of two greater fastening blades (49)having coupled to them a mobile arm (74) per side with a pin acting as an axle and at the other end a tail connector (73) is coupled to the piston tail (21); the end of the piston arm (72) is connected to the thrust hook (59) of the cleaning car (3). A ring (75) is integral with the two mobile arms (74) located at each side of piston (21) and has a supporting plate (76) which engages the tank blade (77) by means of a pin. As regards the maintenance operations, the piston is disconnected from the thrust hook (59) and releases the supporting plate (76) of the tank blade (77). The system is left in vertical position, away from the cleaning car (3), thus facilitating access to the maintenance tasks; the piston is maintained in vertical position fastened by ring (75).
 18. The dehydration and thickening equipment for sludge or watery pastes preferably applied in industrial and mining processes uses as a main component for obtaining the solid-liquid separation a submerged filter system, according to claim 1, being CHARACTERIZED in that the sludge dehydrator (1) provides inside the rectangular tank (50) a channel guide (35) having the upper part in the shape of a funnel located on the internal edge of the upper flange (51)that permits to introduce the suction plate (2) for guidance while it is introduced in the rectangular tank (50) and causes that the suction nozzles (36) are matched with the female connector (37). 